Team Lead: 2nd Shift
About the job
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
- At least 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience is required.
- Good eye-hand coordination is required.
- Computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel, is required.
- The candidate must be able to manage and adapt to changing situations.
- Demonstrated experience coaching, training, and developing others is required.
- Time management and attention to detail are required.
- The candidate must be able to meet deadlines.
- Interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to lead a diverse team are required.
- The candidate must be able to train, mentor, and encourage team members’ growth.
- Troubleshooting and analytical skills to improve line efficiency are required.
- The candidate must be skilled in addressing and resolving personnel and peer conflicts.
- Knowledge of quality control standards, Good Manufacturing Practices, and workplace safety practices is required.
- The candidate must be comfortable using Microsoft software and production systems.
- The candidate must remain effective under changing conditions and requirements.
- The role requires continuous seeing, lifting, reaching, standing, and repetitive hand motions; frequent kneeling, grasping, talking, hearing, walking, driving, bending at the waist, and twisting the upper body; and occasional stooping, crouching, pushing, and additional reaching.
- The role involves frequent lifting and carrying of up to 10 pounds and frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 20 pounds; and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 100 pounds or more.
- The role is based in a production and processing environment with cold temperatures, occasional freezer exposure as low as -10°F, manufacturing equipment and machinery, extended standing on concrete floors, physically demanding work, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices and safety protocols.
- Train, mentor, supervise, and develop production team members.
- Coordinate daily operations, including startups, shutdowns, and changeovers.
- Oversee production-line work assignments, employee rotations, training, vacation coverage, breaks, overtime assignments, and backup scheduling.
- Partner with HR to support staffing needs, including interviewing and selecting candidates.
- Conduct annual performance evaluations for direct reports.
- Maintain responsibility for quality control standards.
- Communicate with other Team Leaders, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, HR, and management.
- Ensure accurate and timely entry of shift paperwork into systems.
- Lead or participate in waste- and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Achieve production goals and meet deadlines.
- Resolve conflicts and apply disciplinary action when necessary.
- Enforce company policies, safety practices, and food safety and Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines.
- Ensure proper use of Personal Protective Equipment.
- Provide production support when required.
- Bilingual ability is preferred but not required.
- Previous food manufacturing experience is a plus.
About the company
Butterball Farms is a producer of specialty butter and custom flavored butter solutions for the foodservice market, and it has recently expanded into compound butters for the packaged goods industry, with some products already sold in retail consumer packages. The company uses butter as a base to add flavor to vegetables, meats, potatoes, and other dishes, offering flavor-forward ingredients that help foodservice operators and manufacturers create finished meals more efficiently. Its product approach hinges on creating custom flavored butter blends that can be used in cooking, finishing, and as retail-ready spreads. What sets Butterball Farms apart is its combination of deep experience, a responsive team, and the ability to execute projects and scale production to meet customer needs. The company’s goal is to be the world’s leading provider of specialty butter and flavor solutions across both the foodservice and packaged goods markets.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Founded
1956
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Butterball Farms celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2026, signaling enduring customer relationships.
- Its website says custom flavored butter and sauce bases are expanding across 2026 food brands.
- Distributor coverage across the U.S. gives Butterball Farms broad reach without heavy retail dependence.
What critics are saying
- Butterball Farms relies on commodity dairy inputs and frozen food customers with intense price pressure.
- A single food-safety or contamination event could shut Grand Rapids production and destroy trust.
- Large foodservice buyers can switch suppliers quickly, squeezing margins and threatening revenue concentration.
What makes Butterball Farms unique
- Butterball Farms has 70 years in Grand Rapids, specializing in embossed and flavored butters.
- It sells custom butter solutions for restaurants, hotels, meal kits, and grocery brands.
- Its patented-style shaped portions and logo embossing create sticky private-label differentiation.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Company Match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- Critical Illness